Education on Location is of our more popular and most successful combination of “learning across the curriculum” classes at Ohio University Southern.

EOL blends the traditional classroom approach with an in depth field study of the topics studied. It turns abstract concepts into concrete observations and applications. We have utilized EOL for Art, Music, English, Literature, Science, History, Travel and Tourism and other disciplines.

Instead of traveling to a destination we are bringing the destination to Ironton Ohio the weekend of Sept. 19–22.. We kick off our activity laden “Freedom Festival” on Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. Although this is a college course all of the events are open free of charge to the public and community members.

We have timed this event to coincide with the Abraham Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation”. At noon on Sept. 22 on the steps of the Lawrence County Courthouse come hear President Lincoln declare that “all persons held as slaves in areas in rebellion against the United States would henceforth be free”. Mr. Lincoln also will debate Stephen A Douglas on Sunday evening at the Ohio University Nature Center located at Lake Vesuvius. Jim Getty (jimgetty.com) a world recognized Lincoln impersonator will be portraying the 16th president of the United States.

Joining Mr. Lincoln on Monday will be Sojourner Truth a runaway slave who was a 19th century abolitionist and feminist activist. The portrayal of Ms. Truth by Annette Jefferson is courtesy of the Ironton Kiwanis Club and the Ohio Humanities Council.

Ohio University Southern’s activity band performs on campus Friday with an evening of Civil War and Antebellum America period music.

Additional OUS faculty and community members will be portraying famous historic characters like fervent abolitionist John Rankin and fiery newspaper publisher William Lloyd Garrison. Lectures will include Civil War Medicine and Nurses, Ironton’s Iron Furnaces and their role in the Underground Railroad and other topics.

For a full schedule of freedom Festival events, times and location visit www.southern.ohiou.edu/freedom/. All events are free of charge and open to the public.

There are two additional EOL field study enhancement class offered in October to reinforce the principles and concepts of the Freedom Festival.

Friday Oct. 10 we travel to Underground Railroad sites in Old Washington Ky., Maysville Ky. and Ripley Ohio. Key attractions include the Reverend John Rankin House and the National Underground Railroad Museum.

The following weekend (Oct. 17-18) is a Mr. Lincoln’s Kentucky. journey with visits to his boyhood home and childhood days in Hodgenville and other surrounding Kentucky. locales. Features of this trip includes the Mary Todd Lincoln house in Lexington, Ky., Lincoln’s boyhood home and is capped off with a live performance of “With Malice Towards None” in Horse Cave, Ky.

The trips are offered with both credit and non credits options and are open to the community. For details and reservations contact Travel World at 740.533.4630, 800.210.3350 or online at www.4travelworld.com/group_specials.html.